Supervised walking for chronic back pain in physiotherapy

Treatments for chronic low back pain (CLBP) generally promote increasing physical activity (PA) levels. There is a growing interest in walking programmes for CLBP, but the effectiveness compared with other evidenced based interventions remains unclear. The aim of this study was to compare effectiveness and costs of supervised walking, exercise classes or individual physiotherapy for CLBP.

A total of 246 participants with CLBP participated in the study and were allocated to the three groups. The primary outcome measure was change from baseline in LBP related functional disability at 6 months follow up.

Results showed significant improvements over time on the Oswestry Disability Index (Primary Outcome), the Numerical Rating Scale, FearAvoidance-PAscale, and the EuroQolEQ-5D-3LWeighted Health Index, highlighting the importance of healthy practitioner supervision, but with no significant between group-differences. The walking program had the lowest costs and the highest level of adherence and supports the rationale for its inclusion in treatment programmes for people with CLBP.

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